Parks Service of Leisure and Outdoor Recreation

Home , Drum Manor Forest Park

Parks Service of

Leisure and Outdoor

Recreation

SERVICE

PLAN

2018

Date 19

Consulted within staff team 09/03/2018

0 Discussed & signed off by Director 25/04/2018

Service Improvement Plan

CONTENT

SECTION TITLE PAGE NUMBER

1.0 OVERALL PURPOSE & SCOPE OF THE SERVICE 1.1 Purpose and scope of the service 2 1.2 Responsibilities 2 1.3 Customers & Stakeholders 4 1.4 Performance Overview in 2017/18 5

2.0 SERVICE WORK PLAN - 2018/19 2.1 Budget - 2018/19 6 2.2 Staffing Complement – 2018/19 7 2.3 Service Work Plan – 2018/ 19 8 - 15

3.0 IMPROVING OUR SERVICE AND MANAGING PERFORMANCE - 2018/19 3.1 Couils Iproeet Ojeties ad Assoiated 16 Programs - 2018/19 3.2 Service Contribution to the Corporate Improvement 17 - 20 Objectives 3.3 Risk Management of Service 21 - 23

Service Improvement Plan

1.0 OVERALL PURPOSE AND SCOPE OF THE SERVICE

1.1. Purpose and Scope of the Service

The scope, diversity and potential developmental capacity accessible to Mid Ulster District Council Parks Service is both tremendously exciting and challenging. The greatest importance is sustaining a welcoming, safe environment and raising quality standards for parks and open spaces, together with the provision of facilities that are sufficient to meet the varied recreational demands of a growing residential population. This needs to be achieved in the context of increasing pressure on public expenditure, alongside encouraging greater community ownership and involvement.

The Parks Service is committed to the achievement of quality standards across parks and open spaces in line with the Green Flag status through the attainment of additional Green Flag Awards for suitable sites. The Parks Service will support achievement of sustainable development in line with approved management and maintenance plans delivering on the protection and enhancement of the natural qualities of parks and open spaces, embracing positive biodiversity for the benefit of future generations.

The Parks Service will endeavour to actively support volunteering opportunities within parks and open spaces and encourage greater community involvement and additional partnership working between agencies, groups and organisations, exploring opportunities (where compatible with corporate priorities) to provide high quality parks and open spaces that are enjoyed by all who visit or live within our shared community.

The Parks Service is part of the Leisure and Outdoor Recreation Directorate, and is made up of the following service areas:

1. Public Parks and Open Spaces 2. Play Areas 3. Countryside Access 4. Forest Recreation 5. Water Recreation 6. Camping & Caravanning

1.2 Responsibilities

PUBLIC PARKS AND PLAYGROUNDS

Mid Ulster District Council manage sixteen public parks of varying sizes and facilities the largest of which are Dungannon Park and Ballyronan Marina. Some one hundred

Service Improvement Plan and twelve play park/playground amenities are provided and maintained across the towns, villages and hamlets of the district.

 Public parks provide our local communities with the opportunity to be physically active  Parks with the capacity to attract day visits have true economic benefit to surrounding towns and villages  Parks provide vital green space in urban landscapes  Parks preserve wildlife habitat  Parks and recreation facilitate social interactions  Leisure activities in parks improve moods, reduce stress and enhance a sense of wellness  Playing outside helps children to develop their learning abilities. Outdoor play eourages hildres reatiity ad proides uerous health eefits as opposed to indoor environments.

FOREST RECREATION

Mid Ulster District Council are engaged with Forest Service Northern Ireland through the development of Licence Agreements to increase quality recreational access to forest lands in the district. The council currently hold five licence agreements with Forest Service for recreational use. The contribution of forest recreation province wide was measured in a recent survey completed by Forest Service in 2014. Some 65,000 visits were estimated to have taken place at Drum Manor Forest Park, one Mid Ulster Forest site to be included in the survey.  An estimated 4.7 million visits were taken to Northern Ireland forests on the Forest Service Forest Estate in 2014.  An average of £20 (including accommodation) was spent during visits taken to the surveyed forests, of this total an average of around £3 was spent within the forest.  80% of visitors are adults (aged 16 or older)  The estimated total annual spend during trips that involve visiting a publicly accessible Forest Service location (including any amounts spent on accommodation) is £76.1 million.  The most popular activities on visits to the surveyed forests were walking (75% of visits) and dog walking (34% of visits).

COUNTRYSIDE ACCESS AND WATER RECREATION

Mid Ulster District Council manages one significant water recreation facility at Ballyronan Marina, almost 150 kilometres of cycle and walking trails along with 22 kilometres of designated canoe trail and nine angling facilities (two game and seven coarse) across the district. These include amenities such as the Coalisland Canal Trail, Clogher Valley/Carleton Trial, riverside walks at Dunamore, Augher and Cots Lane and Ardtrea. Angling facilities at coarse waters Creeve, Enagh and Carrick Lough and Game fishing at Dungannon Park and Bradley lake and mountain bike activity centres at Davagh Forest and Blessingbourne Estate offering over 41 kilometers of trails for riding and walking enthusiasts.

Service Improvement Plan

In addition to this the Council has a statutory responsibility to manage Access to the Countryside under the Access to the Countryside (NI) Order 1983, district councils have a duty to assert, protet ad keep ope ad free fro ostrutio or eroahet, ay puli right of ay..... They are also gie disretioary poers to repair ad maintain rights of way, to create, divert or close public paths and to make access agreements or orders to open land. The socio-economic and wider health benefits attached to access to outdoor activities and recreation is widely known that sport helps to reduce incidents of heart disease ad oesity. Aordig to “port Matters: The “trategy for “port ad Physial Recreation in Northern Ireland, 2009-9, sport ad rereatio is oe of the est investments that can be made in preventive medicine. Significantly the strategy adds: Outdoor rereatio is idely reogised as a positie fore. It a uild lastig relationships between people and often people from different social and religious akgrouds. There are ay UK studies that highlight that outdoor recreation has a positive impact on:

• Health ad fitess; • Quality of life; • Work ethi ad produtiity; • Iard iestet; ad • ‘edutio i rie.

CAMPING AND CARAVANNING

Visitors to Mid Ulster can choose from three council managed campsite facilities, Dungannon Park, Ballyronan Marina and Round Lake, Fivemiletown.

Forty-eight serviced caravan pitches are available for hire throughout the thirty week season. Larger groups can be accommodated such as caravan clubs at Dungannon Park with capacity to welcome in excess of eighty units. New visitor facilities have been developed and refurbished at Dungannon Park and Ballyronan Marina for the 2017/18 season, which include upgraded visitor centre and shower blocks. Mid Ulster District Council sites recorded 1,094 visiting caravan units and 110 tent units to managed locations in 2016-17 season. The potential to increase visitor footfall through campsite development is an option being considered with Forest Service.

The section is specifically responsible for the following functions:

The following list of contacts illustrates the nature and range of stakeholder relationships that exist between the Parks Service and other Council functions, public and private sector organisations, the community and voluntary sectors and is not inexhaustible given that new situations and opportunities arise throughout the course of service planning and delivery.

1.3 Customers & Stakeholders

Customers & Stakeholders

Service Improvement Plan

 CHIEF EXECUTIVE  ELECTED MEMBERS  STAFF  ENVIRONMENT & PROPERTY SERVICES  ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH  TOURISM & EVENTS  FINANCE  TECHNICAL SERVICES  COMMUNITY SERVICES  HUMAN RESOURCES  LEISURE SERVICES  ARTS & CULTURE  LEGAL SERVICES  PLANNING SERVICES  ICT  HEALTH & SAFETY & RISK MANAGEMENT  POLICING & COMMUNITY SAFETY PARTNERSHIP  MARKETING & COMMUNICATION  VISITORS/TOURISTS  GENERAL PUBLIC  FOREST SERVICE NI  OUTDOOR RECREATION NI  PSNI  COMMUNITY GROUPS  DEPARTMENT FOR INFRASTRUCTURE  SPORTS CLUBS/ANGLING, CYCLING, RUNNER AND WALKERS  TOURISM NI  SUPPORTING COMMUNITIES (NI) INTER-ANGENCY FORUM  DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, ENVIRONMRNT & RURAL AFFAIRS

1.4 Performance Overview in 2017/18

The following table provides a progress summary and the impact made by last years Service Plan (2017-2018). It also details key successes, remaining challenges for the Service and how it made a difference.

2017/18 Performance Overview

 Preparation of Five Year Parks and Play Strategy 2017 – 2022 which was an ojetie o the Couils Corporate Improvement Plan

Service Improvement Plan

 Preparation of Five Year Outdoor Recreation Strategy 2017 – 2022 which was a ojetie o Couils Corporate Iproeet Plan  Countryside Access development actions associated to Public Rights of Ways hih as a ojetie o the Couils Corporate Improvement Plan 2017/18  Completion of Business Plan for Railway Park development proposal  Completion of Section 10 reservoirs audits for Park Lake and Ballysaggart Lough  Review of three Parks Safety Audits and Water Safety Policy at main rereatio sites hih as a ojetie o the Couils Corporate Improvement objectives  Staff Recruitment completed for two permanent and two temporary posts  Staff Sickness levels maintained under council threshold 5%  Increased income for 2017/18 Parks £37,930 to £113,180 (50.4% increase)  Successful Programme of Summer and Festive public events across Parks venues  Refurbishment of Round Lake Fivemiletown Camp site visitor amenities  Refurbishment of Augher Village Riverside walk  Refurbishment of Derrychrin Play Park, Ardboe  National Blue flag Award for Ballyronan Marina  National Green Flag Awards for Dungannon Park and Maghera Walled Garden  DEARA Grant Awards for Junior Angling Summer Schools Programme

2.0 SERVICE WORKPLAN 2018/19

The following tables confirm the resources, financial and people, which the Service has access to throughout 2018-19 to deliver its actions, activities and core business.

2.1 Budget 2018/19

Service Budget Headings £

Salaries and Wages 662,755.00 Parks Service Operational Budget 400,208.00

Gross Budget 1,062,983.00 Income (138,795.00) Net Budget for 2017-18 924,188.00

Service Improvement Plan

2.2 Staffing Complement - 2018/19

Staffing No. of Staff Head of Service 1 Managers 1 Officers 1 Receptionists 2PT/2Casual 4 Senior Wardens 2 Play Park Inspectors 3 Park Wardens 2

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Park/Marina Attendants 10 Play Park Attendants 14 Park Attendants (Casual) 7 Total 45

SERVICE WORK PLAN

2.3 Service Work Plan - 2018/19

This plan confirms the core activities and actions which will form your Service Work Plan for 2018-19. This should be a high level capture of the Service activities and work which it will focus on throughout 2018-19. The Plan links to the Couils 5-2019 Corporate Plan priorities, Annual Corporate Improvement Plan Objectives, Corporate Indicators and Mid Ulster Sustainable Community Plan themes & outcomes:

Link to Community Corporate Plan Theme Plan Theme: CMP 2.2 Infrastructure - CRP 3.4 Sustaining our Environment - Develop & enhance parks, play areas & open spaces to encourage physical activity and open the countryside in a sustainable manner to We increasingly value our our community. environment & enhance it for our children Service Objective How Will we Where are we now? What do we want How Will we get there? measure the (Baseline data) to achieve? impact of our (Targets) Key Actions Dates Owners Outcome ork PIs Establish an extension of Creation of MUDC have Projects in  Council approval July 2018 MUDC Significant increase Licence Agreements with increased currently six Forest partnership with  Stakeholder consultation Sept 2018 Forest for public access to Forest Service NI recreational partnership local community Service NI quality outdoor  Legal Agreements Jan 2019 access and agreements groups with a March Local recreation development Davagh proposal of three  PR/ Marketing/launch events programme in Community opportunities and 2019 proposals for Pomeroy new agreements conjunction with community Groups the countryside regional multi- Inniscarn at Knockmany activity hubs Moydamlaght Parkanaur and Derrynoyd Glenone Forests Drum Manor

Service Improvement Plan

Link to Community Corporate Plan Theme Plan Theme: CMP 2.2 Infrastructure - CRP 1.3 Delivering for Our People - High quality, responsive indoor and outdoor recreational services with increased customer numbers and satisfaction We increasingly value our environment & enhance it for our children Service Objective How Will we Where are we now? What do we want How Will we get there? measure the (Baseline data) to achieve? impact of our (Targets) Key Actions Dates Owners Outcome ork PIs Undertake Master Complete two Initial feasibility Completion of  Council approval June 2018 MUDC Significant increase Planning and feasibility Master Plans recommendations two master plans  Development Tender brief/Procurement July 2018 Local for public access to studies for selected from the selected from Forest Audits from the three Community quality play, outdoor  Stakeholder consultation Sept 2018 MUDC Regional and Local proposals: and MUDC options Nov 2018 groups recreation Multi-Activity Hubs Ballyronan strategies  Draft report submissions Forest opportunities and Jan 2019 Marina or  Final Master Plans Service NI the access to the Parkanaur Forest countryside Park or Knockmany Forest

Service Improvement Plan

Link to Community Corporate Plan Theme Plan Theme: CMP 2.2 Infrastructure - CRP 3.4 Sustaining our Environment - Develop & enhance parks, play areas & open spaces to encourage physical activity and open the countryside in a sustainable manner to We increasingly value our our community. environment & enhance it for our children Service Objective How Will we Where are we now? What do we want How Will we get there? measure the (Baseline data) to achieve? impact of our (Targets) Key Actions Dates Owners Outcome ork PIs Access to the Countryside Creation of a Conceptual Complete  Public/Landowner/stakeholder May 2018 MUDC Creation of five development via long Blueway Trail on proposals for the multiple consultation June 2018 Waterway kilometres of off-road distance trails the Lower Bann route have been landowner  Access agreements May 2018 Ireland public path. from Portglenone created through agreements for Ulster coarse Provision and Project Tender brief/procurement Aug 2018 to Newferry in partnership with WI identified  Anglers refurbishment of 150 Sept 2018 partnership with and ORNI. Stage sections of the  Design Planning and construction Federation angling stands. Waterways one Initial funding route.  Stage 1 completion Mar 2019 Forest Walk and cycle link Ireland (WI) and offer from  Stage 2 funding DRP May 2019 Service NI from Portglenone community Waterways Ireland Seek second stage  Stage 2 Project Tender brief/procurement July 2019 Angling NI town to Blueway trial stakeholders £106k. funding from RDP  Stage 2 Design planning and construction Sept 2019 Honourable Establishment of Irish Society significant water  Stage 2 completion Major European Local recreation hub in angling event Communities Northern Ireland August 2019 Landowners

Service Improvement Plan

Link to Corporate Plan Theme Community Plan Theme: CMP 4.2 Health & CRP 1.3 Delivering for Our People - High quality, responsive indoor and outdoor recreational services with increased customer numbers and satisfaction Wellbeing - We have better availability to the right service, in the right place at the right time.

Service Objective How Will we Where are we What do we want How Will we get there? measure the now? (Baseline to achieve? impact of our data) (Targets) Key Actions Dates Owners Outcome ork PIs Deliver event and Delivery of Parks Delivered 26 Deliver 29 events activity programmes at Service events events in 2017-18 in 2018 19 the core MUDC venues programme to schedule and 576,660 users 616,660 (+7%) within allocated users Programme of varied April budget Mystery visitor Mystery annual  Review budget allocation – events and activities average ratings visitor average  Establish programme of events Oct 2018 across Parks Service / Support event and Support 72% ratings 80%  Tender/procurement of services MUDC venues activity programmes in programme of  Link with marketing and Parks Service throughout the Forest & Countryside public and Supported 8 Support 10 Events communications Marketing and spring/summer/autumn venues managed by community events in 2017 as part of a wider  Produce marketing campaigns Communications period seeking to Mid Ulster District events to programme of Stakeholder and engage a broad  Coordinate logistical resources Council schedule and public and participating spectrum of participant  Deliver events programme within allocated community Community and spectator audience budget events calendar  Evaluations/Feedback analysis groups/organisations

Deliver Parks Marketing Delivery of  Review marketing budget April Plan in conjunction with integrated Initial Parks Establish Parks  Development marketing plan with – Promoted effectively Oct 2018 MUDC Marketing & marketing plan Marketing Plan identity and Marketing & Communications and delivered to a high Communications for Parks 2018/19 established in increased Parks standard in term of  Deliver Marketing Plan objectives 2017 Service profile

Service Improvement Plan

Spring/Summer with 1 publication  Evaluations/Feedback analysis quality, public Programme and 4 specific satisfaction and safety event campaigns

Link to Corporate Plan Theme Community Plan Theme: CMP 4.3 Health & CRP 3.4 Sustaining our Environment - Develop & enhance parks, play areas & open spaces to encourage physical activity and open the countryside in a sustainable manner to Wellbeing - We care our community. more for those most vulnerable and in need

Service Objective How Will we Where are we What do we want How Will we get there? measure the now? (Baseline to achieve? impact of our data) (Targets) Key Actions Dates Owners Outcome ork PIs

Play Parks Improvements Complete Parks and Play Five Enhance 6 low  Review budget allocation April 2018 MUDC Initial stage of five Programme upgrades and Year Strategy scoring hildres  Consultation June 2018 Local year rolling refurbishment of prepared Council play parks stakeholders programme of play Establish scope and programme of works July 2018 approval required  community provision hildres play Aug 2018 parks as part of  Tender/procurement of contractor groups improvements across an annual MUDC  Marketing and communications Sept 2018 Marketing and MUDC rolling works Current MUDC Installation of 14  Award contracts and commence works Sept 2018 Communications programme inclusive play items of new  Programme updates Oct-Nov baseline figure inclusive play 2018 Increasing 12.6% equipment an Initial stage of five  Coordinate of completion and Launch Dec 2018 inclusive play increase of 2% year rolling event equipment Jan 2019 programme of  Evaluations/Feedback analysis provision across Feb 2019 enhanced inclusive MUDC  Play Parks annual audit play provision across MUDC

Service Improvement Plan

Link to Community Corporate Plan Theme Plan Theme: CMP 4.2 Health & CRP 1.3 Delivering for Our People - High quality, responsive indoor and outdoor recreational services with increased customer numbers and satisfaction Wellbeing - We have better availability to the right service, in the right place at the right time.

Service Objective How Will we Where are we now? What do we want How Will we get there? measure the (Baseline data) to achieve? impact of our (Targets) Key Actions Dates Owners Outcome ork PIs Davagh Forest Dark Skies Creation of a Completion of Completion of Project Visitor Centre and Economic Appraisal Davagh Forest Dark Sky Dark Skies Project  Complete on Forest Service Licence/Lease May 2018 MUDC Contribute to long- Observatory Funding streams in conjunction arrangements Dec 2018 Forest term economic including a range confirmed DAERA with Tourism  Community consultation Dec 2018 Services NI growth through the of interpretation and Landfill partnership.  Develop budget allocation Dec 2018 Local development of the linking the Communities Fund community economy of the  Catering contract Dec 2018 heritage of the Deliver on service group Council area, offering  Bike hire contract Jan 2019 area with the Forest Service related Mountain a distinct and  Staff recruitment and staff training Jan 2019 night sky. Licence Agreement transitional time Bike complementary  Establish programme of events Jan 2019 and Lease line targets as Jan 2019 Consortium sustainable outdoor  Estalish NOPs/EOPs for Daagh Development of identified as key recreation product to the visitor Planning approval actions  Produce marketing campaign that already being

hub/trail head offered within the area i.e. ancillary Consultant Council area.

architects

Service Improvement Plan

facilities/services appointed and Full operational and car parking. design agreed opening to public for April 2019 Tendering for contractor initiated

Service Objective How Will we Where are we now? What do we want How Will we get there? measure the (Baseline data) to achieve? impact of our (Targets) Key Actions Dates Owners Outcome ork PIs Progress Clogher Valley Continue to Expressions of and Ulster Canal support the interest to DRD for Greenway proposals development of Ulster Canal and Stage three  Review budget allocation, progress subject to July 2018 MUDC Contribution to the Ulster Canal the Clogher Valley design and cost available funding Forest making our Greenway and Greenway. options appraisal Services NI communities more  Establish scope and project brief July 2018 Clogher Valley for both projects  Tender/procurement of consultancy liveable improving Greenway Both proposals Aug 2018 Local the economy through  Award contracts projects were selected and Projects to Aug 2018 community tourism and civic  Consultation advanced to the progress on the Oct 2018 group improvement  Draft Reports second stage of basis of Council Jan 2019 preservation and  Final Report Submission competitive approval and Feb 2019 Mountain restoration of open

evaluation. subject to Bike space and provision

Consortium of opportunity for

Service Improvement Plan

Stage two feasibility sourcing available physical activities to studies were funding Consultancy improve fitness and completed and Team mental wellbeing submitted for stage across our three evaluation communities

Both submissions failed selection for stage three

Estimated £25k per project to progress

Service Objective How Will we Where are we now? What do we want How Will we get there? measure the (Baseline data) to achieve? impact of our (Targets) Key Actions Dates Owners Outcome ork PIs

Reservoirs Management Conformity to The Completion of  Council staff visit at least weekly. April 2018 MUDC Conformity to The Reservoir Act (NI) Dungannon Park Meet with the  Appointment of Supervising Engineer, not March Reservoir Act (NI) 2015 Water Lake and Section 10 Report currently required by the legislation and visits 2019 DfI Rivers 2015 Water Regulations Ballysaggart Lough recommendation the site at least twice a year. condition Survey that works are Atkins  Council staff member to be trained to carry out reports carried out within observation assessments Consultancy

12 months or the  Supervising Engineer visits at least twice a year. Team

Completion of date when the  On-site Emergency Plans for Dungannon Park Dungannon Park Reservoirs Act Lake and Ballysaggart Lough Lake and (Northern Ireland) Ballysaggart Lough becomes enforceable.

Service Improvement Plan

Section 10(2)  Investigate the valve and penstock works at the Reports reservoir and if necessary repairs carried out to try to get the facilities to function  Attempts be made to stop the significant leakage through the dam  A flood study be undertaken  A review of the ability of the dam to pass the design and safety check flood in terms of stability, spillway capacity and hydraulic performances be undertaken

3.0 IMPROVING OUR SERVICE AND MANAGING PERFORMANCE

3.1 Annual Improvement Objectives and Associated Programs

The Council has set a number of annual improvement objectives and associated programs (projects and activities) for 2018/19 which aim to bring about improvement. The improvement objectives and key improvement programs, set out Couils otriutio to the sustaiale Community Plan for the District; against which we can monitor and report progress.

Each Council department provides resources to assist with the improvement activities contained within each improvement project (individual service improvement contribution activity linked to corporate improvement programs can be found in 3.2 of the service plan). The annual improvement ojeties also alig to the Couils ai orporate plaig document (Corporate Plan 2015 - 2019, hih otais the ouils strategi diretio ad main priorities.

The Council will focus on the following improvement objectives for 2018 to 2019:

(i) To assist in the growth of the local economy by increasing the number of visitors to our district.

(ii) To help manage our waste and environment by reducing the amount of waste going to landfill.

(iii) To improve the accessibility of our services by increasing the number available online.

(iv) To support people to adopt healthier lifestyles by increasing usage of Council Recreational facilities

We utilise outcome based accountability methodology to manage our performance. This tells us the impact our services are having on communities. Further detailed information relatig to Couils iproeet ojeties, assoiated atiities, outoe idiators, projects and targets is available at www.midulstercouncil.org/Council/Performance (Mid Ulster Coucil’s Iproveet Pla / – 2018/19) or by contacting the Democratic Services Team on 03000 132132.

3.2 Service Contribution to the Corporate Improvement Objectives/Projects

Link to Community Plan Corporate Plan Theme Theme: CMP 4.1 Health & Wellbeing - We are CRP 1.3 Delivering for Our People - High quality, responsive indoor and outdoor recreational services with increased customer numbers and satisfaction better enabled to live longer healthier & more active lives Improvement Plan Service Objective How Will we measure Where are we What do we How Will we get there? Objective the impact of our work now? (Baseline want to PIs data) achieve? Key Actions Dates Owners Outcome (Targets)

4.0 To support Delivery of capital Consultancy Teams Strategic March 2018 people to adopt Improvements appointed and Project Business Case establish  Appoint consultancy teams Developed MUDC Improved quality healthier lifestyles Programme Designs programme of being programme of to develop proposals for Key by March recreational facilities by increasing usage work established for developed for work for Key Capital Projects including 2018 in MUDC of Council Key Capital projects Railway Park Capital Schemes (2) Start Recreational including Develop ed including Railway Park facilities. Railway Park Project Designs Railway Park September Consultancy Teams for Key Capital By March 2019  Appoint consultancy team to 2017 appointed and Project projects establish develop inclusive play and developed Designs programme of including programme of strategic play investment by March work established for Railway Park work for Key programme. 2019 Key Capital projects Capital Schemes including including (a) Play Parks (d) Play Parks

(b) Parks (e) Parks

Service Improvement Plan

Link to Community Plan Theme: Corporate Plan Theme

CMP 4.1 Health & Wellbeing - We are better CRP 1.3 Delivering for Our People - High quality, responsive indoor and outdoor recreational services with increased customer numbers and satisfaction enabled to live longer healthier & more active lives Improvement Plan Service Objective How Will we Where are we What do we How Will we get there? Objective measure the now? (Baseline want to impact of our data) achieve? Key Actions Dates Owners Outcome ork PIs (Targets)

4.0 To support Parks Services people to adopt Marketing Plan Develop Draft marketing Implementation  Review marketing budget April – Leisure & Increased healthier lifestyles appropriate plan being from April 2018.  Development marketing plan Oct 2018 Outdoor participation and by increasing usage Parks Marketing developed Develop Parks recreation healthier lifestyles with Marketing & of Council Strategy and marketing by more people Recreational action plans for strategy and Communications Parks Service being aware of facilities. facilities, marketing  Deliver Marketing Plan recreational facilities programmes and action plans by objectives Marketing and and programmes events. March 2018  Evaluations/Feedback analysis Communications

Link to Community Plan Theme: Corporate Plan Theme

Service Improvement Plan

CMP 4.1 Health & Wellbeing - We are better CRP 1.3 Delivering for Our People - High quality, responsive indoor and outdoor recreational services with increased customer numbers and enabled to live longer healthier & more active satisfaction lives Improvement Plan Service Objective How Will we Where are we What do we How Will we get there? Objective measure the now? (Baseline want to impact of our data) achieve? Key Actions Dates Owners Outcome ork PIs (Targets)

4.0 To support MUDC Parks, Play and Strategy Draft strategies Strategies  Revision of action plan for April MUDC Improved quality people to adopt Outdoor Recreation development to prepared approved. Parks & Play Strategy 2018 recreational facilities healthier lifestyles Strategies provide direction requires Council Leisure & in MUDC and by increasing usage for Parks and Play approval Develop action Outdoor accessible for all  Submission for Council May of Council facilities plans - linked to recreation sections of society. 2018 Recreational funding Approval facilities. Strategy Review of action programme Parks development to plans to align Service provide direction with allocated  Revision of action plan for May for Outdoor budget Outdoor Recreation Strategy 2018 Recreation resources facilities  Submission for Council June Approval 2018

Link to Community Plan Theme: Corporate Plan Theme

Service Improvement Plan

4.0 To support Provide Outdoor  No of users  576,660  616,660  Inclusion of Davagh and From Head of Parks Increased people to adopt Recreation Services – users (+7%) users Blessingbourne MBTs ito Parks April 2018 participation and healthier lifestyles audit of planned Service Performance Indicators and to March Parks Manager healthier lifestyles by increasing events and  Mystery  Mystery  Mystery Programmes 2019 by more people usage of Council programmes visitor visitor annual visitor Parks Officer being aware of Recreational ratings average average  Deliver Health and wellbeing recreational facilities. ratings 72% ratings 80% programmes at specific locations Parks Staff facilities and  Number of programmes programmes  26 Events/  29 Events/  Develop facility activity programmes Marketing and delivered through delivered programmes programmes and promotions at specific locations Communications MUDC Parks Service

 Implement customer survey for users at Daagh ad Blessigoure MBTs

3.3 RISK MANAGEMENT OF SERVICE

The purpose of risk management is to manage the barriers which prevents the Council from achieving its objectives. This section of the service plan includes space for the Service to input their key risks (in summary form), which have been identified during the business planning process. The Council uses risk management to maximize opportunities and minimize risks. This improves its ability to deliver priorities and improve outcomes. This is why the Council deems it important to link business planning and risk management. Risk Management aims to:

 Help the Council achieve its overall aims and objectives  Manage the significant risks the Council faces to an acceptable level  Assist with the decision making process  Implement the most effective measures to avoid, reduce and control those risks  Balance risk with opportunity  Manage risk and internal controls in the most effective way.

This table illustrates the risks identified to deliver the Services business in 2018-19.

Risk Ref Description of Risk Risk Rating Mitigation Activity Number 1. A lack of, or untimely, maintenance of Parks and Open spaces with 6 (3x2) Currently managed through Property Services. This function of the the possibility of creating an unsafe environment for public users Council has an extensive remit, responsible for the maintenance of with potential for injury claims. all council lands and property.

2. Accident occurs on play area 8 (4x2) Majority of playgrounds are inspected weekly by council staff. Independent annual inspections by ROSPA or RPII Inspectorate. Significant number playgrounds have been replaced or upgraded in recent years and evidence of current good and safe practices reflect in low claim levels. Comprehensive Audit has been completed Play Strategy being developed by Parks Service. Council approval pending 3. Parks budget under pressure 6 (3x2) Monthly Budget Management Reports. Networking with potential partner organisations to advise on funding environment. Selection based on greatest need or H&S assessment and annual resource availability. Continue to manage and monitor monthly reports throughout financial year. 4. Resources, skills and expertise within service to deliver service 9 (3x3) Additional casual staff recruited. Appointment of Parks and efficiently Countryside Development Officer scheduled to commenced 1 March 2018 - permanent post. Parks Inspector commenced 16th April 2018. 5. Play area equipment etc. is inadequate/outdated 6 (3x2) A designated officer is responsible for ensuring and monitoring the use and condition of safety materials, particularly around play equipment. Parks service has developed a detailed strategy to ensure that adequate leisure facilities are provided. Programmed internal and external inspections of parks and open spaces are carried out to ensure that standards of maintenance are maintained and the facilities available are up to the required standards. There are documented consultation procedures to ensure that public

Service Improvement Plan

expectations are identified. There is a planned maintenance programme that is documented and communicated to maintenance staff. There is compliance with industry health and safety standards to ensure the latest materials are used/introduced on a timely basis. 6. Fraud, theft or bribery occurring within Parks service. 6 (2x3) All Ballyronan financial transactions managed by Council staff. Approx 70% of bookings - Marina and Caravan Park dealt with as online bookings by World Pay. Cash & Cheque Handling @ Dungannon Park  Segregation of duties takes place.  Financial procedures followed  Checks and audits take place at random intervals IT solution that centralises bookings introduced Jan 2017. Review of Service Level agreement at Ballyronan Marina allowed the transfer of all cashier duties from community group to council staff. 7. Water Safety general. Risk to general public/visitors and council 8 (4x2) MUDC Water Safety Policy in place. Water Safety Equipment employees in relation to water recreation facilities owned and deployed on designed sites. Programmed Site Inspections. Audited managed by MUDC Inspection software records. Damaged or Missing safety Equipment replaced Immediately from stock.

Rating Descriptor 16 - 25 Extreme Risk (immediate action required) 10 - 15 High Risk (urgent action required) 7 - 9 Moderate Risk (action required) 1 – 6 Low Risk (keep under review)